Perinatal hepatitis B is HBV infection acquired through mother-to-child transmission during childbirth or the perinatal period. [2]
Disease overview
Perinatal hepatitis B
围产期乙型肝炎
Evidence-backed informationEN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Perinatal hepatitis B refers to hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission to an infant around the time of birth. This route efficiently transmits HBV and can result in chronic infection, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. [1]
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Perinatal hepatitis B virus infection acquired in the perinatal period can lead to chronic infection, which may progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death [3][1]. This natural history is distinct from acute infection in older children and adults, who more often clear the virus and develop protective immunity [3][1].
Vertical transmission accounts for a substantial share of chronic HBV infection globally, making pregnancy and birth important settings for prevention. [3]
The defining transmission route is passage of HBV from mother to child during childbirth or the perinatal period. [1][2] HBV transmission generally results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood. [2]
Key prevention measures include antenatal identification of hepatitis B surface antigen-positive pregnant persons, timely postexposure prophylaxis for infants born to them, and timely universal newborn vaccination. [1] Routine antenatal screening and neonatal immunoprophylaxis are central measures to reduce perinatal transmission. [3]
- 1Higgins DM et al. Prevention of Perinatal Hepatitis B Transmission. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2023 Jun. PMID: 37149315. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2023.02.007.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37149315/
- 2Wikipedia contributors. Hepatitis B - Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikipedia. cited 20 May 2026.Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_B
- 3Cheung KW et al. Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2019 Aug. PMID: 31098821. doi: 10.1007/s00404-019-05190-0.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31098821/
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